The Fijian Government is working closely with the United Nations for the release of the 43 Fijian peacekeepers who have been detained by an armed group in Syria.

The latest information we have is that they are safe and I can say now that the negotiations for their release have already begun. I want to assure the families of the soldiers we are doing everything possible to secure their safe return.

These men are peacekeepers, not combatants in the Syrian conflict, and there is no need for them to be detained.